Revision as of 21:58, 31 January 2011

The U.S.S. Constellation, a part of the Maritime Museum

The Inner Harbor is the heart of Baltimore, and the standard-bearer of its industrial and maritime heritage. In the 1950s, the area became an industrial wasteland and the buildings were eventually replaced with parkland for public uses and events. In the decades that followed continued investment in the area has renewed the harbor. It now contains the lion's share of Baltimore's tourist attractions, and accordingly, its tourists.

Understand

The Inner Harbor's relatively shallow waters have long played second fiddle to Baltimore's deep water harbors in the south of the city. Unable to accommodate large freighters, the port received light freight and passenger traffic, but even in these categories, the Inner Harbor lagged behind the busier docks at Fell's Point. Consequently, despite its central location, the Inner Harbor always remained underdeveloped, and more than a little seedy.

In the 1960s, particularly after the 1968 riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr that devastated the city, the Inner Harbor sunk into decline with the rest of the city, leaving the waterfront dominated by abandoned warehouses, deteriorating industrial buildings, and open grassy areas for the occasional festival.
In 1980, in what was considered nothing but hopeless folly, Mayor D'Alesandro Jr. came up with an expensive plan to revitalize the Inner Harbor, starting with the construction of the waterfront Harborplace, a big, attractive, indoor mall filled with shops and cafeteria dining. Shortly thereafter the city built the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center, and lo' and behold, the plan was a spectacular success, and the Inner Harbor took off and hasn't looked back.

Today, the Inner Harbor is the city centerpiece, Maryland's number one tourist destination, and the single biggest economic boon for the city. The views across the harbor and its ships towards the old Domino Sugar Factory in the south and the skyscrapers, including the Maryland World Trade Center, in the north are the icons of the city. Restaurants and big hotels line the waterfront, and tourists fill the streets, promenade, and piers. The Inner Harbor is less popular with locals, however, so you would do well to get out a bit to other neighborhoods like Fell's Point and Midtown to get a better feel for the local culture!

Get in

By car

The most direct route to the Inner Harbor area from outside the city would be from I-95. Take exit 53, which dumps you on to Howard St. Parking can be messy and/or expensive, and garages will be the only option available. If you want to park on-street, you could try Fells Point to the east, which will leave you with about a 15-20 minute walk to the Aquarium.

By light rail

Light rail [49] lines stop at Camden Yards, running north through Downtown and Lexington Market, and on to Penn Station; south to BWI airport.

By Circulator bus

The Circulator has two relevant routes. The orange line[50] will take you east on Pratt almost to the edge of Fells Point, with a quick stop in Little Italy, before returning west on Lombard and running to the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The purple line[51] runs south on Light St to Federal Hill and north on Calvert St to reach Charles St through Mt Vernon and Midtown.

By water taxi

Ed Kane's Water Taxi, [52] +1 410 563-3901, stops at the Rusty Scupper, the Science Center, Harbor Place, the Aquarium, Pier 5, and Harbor East, with connections to popular tourist stops in South Baltimore, like Fort McHenry, as wells piers in Fells Point and Canton to the east. Day passes, adults: $9.00, kids under 10: $4.00. May-December only.

By bus

Visitors to the city don't really use the bus system, but if you are feeling intrepid, there are a handful of useful routes.

#11[53], if you pick it up on Pratt St on the harbor, will take you east to the heart of Fells Point, and then on to Canton. If you take it from Lombard St (one block north of the harbor), it will take you north up Charles St through the heart of Midtown and on to Johns Hopkins' main campus. The northern route returns to the Inner Harbor from Midtown via Cathedral Ave.
#1[54] runs south on Light St through Federal Hill and on to Fort McHenry via Fort Ave.

See

The Inner Harbor is packed full of attractions, and is Maryland's destination number one for sightseeing. The most popular is without question the National Aquarium, which is almost an obligatory stop, but the ships and the Maritime Museum are a close second. The Maryland Science Center is a fantastic place to spend a half day with children, and the American Visionary Art Museum is an intriguing and unique gallery for anyone with the remotest interest in the arts.

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, ☎+1 410 244 1900, [1]. Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. The most eclectic and interesting collection of contemporary art from non-professional artists, with many works of beauty, some of paranoia, and a fair share of sheer obsessive personality disorder!Adults $14, discounts available for seniors, children and large groups.

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, 901 W Pratt St, ☎+1 410 752 2490, [2]. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Located in a beautiful historic railroad roundhouse is a large collection of locomotives and railcars dating back to the very earliest railroads of America. Train rides are sometimes available. Very kid friendly.Admission $14, discounts for seniors and children available.

Baltimore Maritime Museum, 301 E Pratt St (Piers 1, 3, and 5 at the Inner Harbor), ☎+1 410 396 3453, [3]. Daily 10AM-5PM, seasonal hours vary. At the piers of Inner Harbor are a collection of four different historic ships from Baltimore's maritime legacy, which have been decommissioned and converted into museums that you can tour on your own. Ticket prices range from $8-$16 and are based on how many ships you want to tour (one, two or four), with discounts available for seniors and children. Admission to the lighthouse is always free.

USS Constellation, (Pier 1), ☎+1 410 539 1797, [4]. The last all-sail warship built by the U.S. Navy and the only Civil War-era vessel still afloat. Pay attention to the ship's schedule for the day; Civil War reenactors may be on hand to demonstrate shooting a cannon!

USS Torsk, (Pier 3). A World War II era submarine.

USCGC Taney, (Pier 5). A coast guard cutter that survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lightship Chesapeake, (Pier 3). A floating, mobile lighthouse painted in a vibrant red color; it was refitted for combat duty during World War II before returning to lighthouse purposes.

Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street (south end of Inner Harbor promenade), ☎+1 410 6855225, [5]. Su-Th 10AM-6PM, F-Sa 10AM-8PM. Great family outing, full of hands-on, interactive science exhibits for kids of all ages.General admission $16.70, discounts available for seniors, children and military.

National Aquarium, 501 E Pratt Street, ☎+1 410 576 3800, [6]. Daily 9AM-5PM, seasonal hours vary. One of the best aquariums in the nation, the Baltimore Aquarium is famous for its tropical rain forest exhibit, its efforts to saving marine mammals, and its large shark tanks. Well worth the price of admission, it's a draw for marine scientists and civilians alike. Due to its popularity, expect to be in long lines to purchase tickets and then have to wait to enter several hours later, especially during weekends or vacation times; to avoid this, plan ahead and purchase tickets early or online.General admission $25-$30, discounts for seniors and children available.

Top of the World, 401 E Pratt Street, ☎+1 410 837 VIEW, [7]. Summer hours: M-Th 10AM-6PM, F-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su Noon-6PM; non-summer hours: W-Su 10AM-6PM; last admission one half hour before closing. An observation deck on the 27th floor of the I. M. Pei-designed 31-story "World Trade Center," the tallest pentagonal building in the world and located directly on the waterfront. It provides amazing views of downtown, the inner harbor and bay, and all of the surrounding neighborhoods.Admission $5, discounts available for seniors, children and military.

Baltimore Civil War Museum, 601 President Street (cross street Fleet, east of Pier 6 Concert Pavilion), ☎+1 410 385 5188. Sa-Su, 10AM-5PM. Housed in the historic President Street Station, the Civil War Museum is a look at Baltimore's vibrant and important role in the mid-19th century American Civil War. Formerly run by the Maryland Historical Society, the museum is now staffed solely by volunteers and open only on weekends.Free.

Do

Panorama of Baltimore Inner Harbor. The tall building on the right is the Baltimore World Trade Center. The glass building in the middle is the National Aquarium. Between them are ships in the Baltimore Maritime Museum. The brick building holds an ESPN Zone and a Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Urban Pirates, [10]. A swashbuckling adventure on a pirate ship in the Inner Harbor! As you might expect, this is very popular with younger kids.

Events

Otakon, [11]. One of the largest and longest-running anime conventions in the United States, held over a three-day weekend in July or August (varies depending on the year). Even if you are not into anime, you'll get to see throngs of Japanese cartoon-inspired costumed attendees (cosplayers) take over the Baltimore Convention Center and Inner Harbor during the convention.

Baltimore Comic-Con, Baltimore Convention Center, [12]. Fall weekend, every year. Not quite as big as the Comic-Con held in San Diego, this comic book convention has grown since its humbler beginnings in 2000. It currently hosts the Harvey Awards presentation ceremony, honoring the best comic book professionals as voted by their peers.

Music

Rams Head Live!, 20 Market Place (located in Power Plant Live!), [13]. Concert venue for rock bands, comedians, and many more.

Film

Landmark Theatre, 645 S President St, ☎+1 410 244-6636. This is a really nice movie theater for independent and foreign films, with things like comfy leather seats, no cell phone reception in the theater, wine, cocktails, crab cakes. Since they are serving liquor, they are able to keep the ticket prices down: $10.50, matinee: $8.

Buy

Harborplace offers a ton of shopping right by the main hotels, but outside of the mall, you won't find a lot of shopping here. If you are interested in more local shopping—boutiques, local flavor, etc.—a good bet are the many shops to the east in Fell's Point

Filene's Basement, 600 E Pratt St, Ste 2, ☎+1 410 685-2637, [15]. M-F 9:30AM-9:30PM, Sa 9:30AM-10PM, Su 11AM-7PM. The Baltimore location of the discount brand-name store is a little small, but still a good place for good deals on really nice clothes, and a great place to pick up needed dress shirts without spending a fortune.

The Flag Shop, 301 Light St, ☎+1 410 625-2212. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Flags, flag poles, and flag accessories. Yes, this is a flag shop, and it has flags both modern and historical from virtually every country in the world, as well as military flags, state flags, sports pennants, etc. A really fun place to stop and browse.

Eat

Pirates coming from Domino Sugars

You'll find many chain restaurants in Inner Harbor, ranging from the cheap like Potbelly or Chipotle to the more expensive McCormick & Schmick's or The Capital Grille; American and Canadian tourists will pretty much know what to expect. Don't bother with the food at Power Plant Live! just north of the harbor, as it's more overpriced for the quality of food you get.
The majority of the really good options will be east of the Aquarium in the burgeoning and uber-yuppie neighborhood of "Harbor East." Further north in the Downtown district, you'll find more local fare at Lexington Market, as well as one terrific local steakhouse. Going east to Fells Point and Little Italy is without a doubt the best option for dinner if you don't fancy the options here.

Boheme Cafe, 400 E Pratt St, ☎+1 410 347-9898, [17]. M-Th 6:45AM-4PM, F 6:45PM-3PM, Sa 8AM-1PM. A little breakfast and lunch spot, which gets a little edge over its competitors just north of the harbor (which often have better food) from its extremely convenient location on Pratt St by the hotels.$5-9.

Rosina Gourmet, 300 E Lombard St, ☎+1 410 244-1885, [19]. M-F 7:30AM-3:30PM. Smack dab in the most touristy section of town, this sandwich shop is all-local--geared towards people who work in the area, with really high quality ingredients at low prices. Great cheap, quick breakfast or lunch option.$8-12.

Mid-range

Talara, 615 S President St, ☎+1 410 528-9883, [20]. M-Th 11AM-midnight, F-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-10PM. Best known for its ceviche bar, with a good 100 possible combinations of sushi, Talara is an all-around great Nuevo Latino restaurant, with a fun, energetic atmosphere, tapas, and good mojitos. Monday nights see free salsa lessons!$18-30.

Chiu's Sushi, 608 S Exeter St, ☎+1 410 752-9666, [22]. M-Th 11AM-3PM, 4:30PM-10PM; F 11AM-3PM, 4:30PM-11PM; Sa noon-11PM; Su 3PM-10PM. This sushi house has stylish atmosphere, high quality sushi by the touristy part of town, and inventive sushi rolls. For a bit of local flavor, look to the crab, lobster, and shrimp roll, which packs in a bit of spicy Maryland Old Bay seasoning!$20-40.

Fogo de Chao, 600 E Pratt St, ☎+1 410 528-9292, [23]. M-F 11:30AM-2PM,5PM-10PM, F 5PM-10:30PM, Sa 4:30PM-10:30PM, Su 3:30PM-9PM. The Baltimore location of the national chain of Brazilian Charcuterie restaurants is big, and will serve you copious quantities of high-quality Brazilian meat. The gimmick consists of an all-you-can-eat fixed price dinner, where you raise a flag at your table to invite the server to come bring more meat, and lower it when you want to simply eat in peace. Knowing full well that not everyone in a group is going to want meat, Fogo also has an excellent salad bar at a reduced price.Lunch: $31.50 (salad bar only: $19.50), dinner: $48.50 (salad bar only: $24.50).

Roy's Restaurant, 720B Aliceanna St, ☎+1 410 659-0099, [24]. M-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-10:30PM, Su 5PM-9PM. Roy's is a trendy Hawaiian fusion restaurant, with a focus on seafood and local ingredients. Yes, it is a chain, but the food is too excellent to ignore.$30-60.

Rusty Scupper, 401 Key Hwy, ☎+1 410 727-3678, [25]. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30PM-11PM, Sa 3PM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM (Sunday brunch until 2PM). This seafood restaurant is easily one of Baltimore's most high-profile dining establishments, with heavy tourist traffic, and regarded highly for its seafood, but most of all for the magnificent views of the Baltimore skyline—the best views are indeed from this angle. The seafood is very good, but not on the level you will find at other top-notch Baltimore seafood restaurants, be they upscale or on a picnic bench. The service is another step down, occasionally quite bad. But, that's not to say that you shouldn't come here—the seafood is indeed some of the best you will find right on the Inner Harbor, and, again, the views are easily up there with the best in the city. And no one would deny that the Sunday brunch is a great time.$28-50.

Vino Rosina, 507 S Exeter St, ☎+1 410 528-8600, [26]. M-Th 11:30AM-10:30PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-1AM. A new, fashionable entrant to Harbor East's scene, this is a small restaurant and wine bar (12 tables), with great Contemporary American cuisine, but even greater atmosphere. A great place for a date, or even just a few drinks after dinner elsewhere. Reservations are a must.$20-35.

Watertable, (Inside the Renaissance Hotel), ☎+1 410 685-8439, [27]. 6:30AM-11AM, 11:30AM-2PM, 6PM-10PM daily. The service and food are both excellent, if not the best in downtown Baltimore, but the clear reason to come is the magnificent view over the Inner Harbor. Great cheap deal on the lunch buffet!$22-40.

Drink

The Inner Harbor is the worst place in Baltimore for nightlife, barring the barren and dangerous neighborhoods of East and West Baltimore. It's safe here, and within easy striking distance of the big hotels, but the nightlife is almost completely manufactured for tourism, and is accordingly overpriced, plagued by poor service, and won't give you much any idea of what local nightlife is actually about. Nonetheless there are a handful of decent options, and while a tourist trap, Power Plant Live can still be a good time if you know what to expect, and don't mind it being a bit touristy. The one real standout option that does bring in locals from other parts of the city is the wine bar in Harbor East, listed above, Vino Rosina.

If the nightlife here is not to your liking, it is easy enough to go local and leave the Harbor. Just east is Fell's Point, which is pretty clearly the city's party central, absolutely full of bars and locals out for a good time.

Houlihan's, 621 E Pratt St, ☎+1 410 872-0058, [28]. Su-Th 11AM-1AM, F-Sa 11AM-2AM. There is a lot to dislike about Houlihan's, which is a very much touristy spot right on the water, but it's a great stop for a weekday happy hour (M-F 4PM-7PM), when the bar offers stiff Long Island-style cocktails for $5 a pop.

James Joyce Irish Bar, 616 President St, ☎+1 410 727-5107, [29]. 11AM-2AM daily. A fairly tipical and large Irish pub, but a particularly nice one, and just off the Inner Harbor. The beer list is standard, but the Irish food menu is surprisingly good. Frequent live music.

Sliders Bar & Grill, 504 Washington Blvd, ☎+1 410 547-8891. 10:30AM-2AM daily. This is likely the best bar by the Ravens and Orioles stadiums, a big sports bar that does most things right, in particular the regional craft beers on tap, the big LCDs, and the proud, friendly Baltimore sports loving crowd.

Tiki Barge, 500 Harborview Dr (At the pier, take the golf cart shuttle to the boat.), ☎+1 410 867-5309, [30]. Su-Th 10AM-11PM, F-Sa 10AM-midnight. On a nice summer day, this is one of the most fun options in Baltimore. A Tiki bar on a barge floating in the Inner Harbor, with a swimming pool!

Power Plant Live

Power Plant Live 34 Market Pl, ☎ +1 410 427-5483, [55]. A collection of bars, clubs, music venues, and restaurants (the most notable being the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse), manufactured to keep the Inner Harbor tourist machine rolling! As such, it is not representative of Baltimore culture, is a good deal cheesy (beware the suburban bachelorettes), and has pretty rotten service, but is nonetheless a good time with the right mindset. They have a large self contained outdoor square where you can escape the usual U.S. rules on open containers and drink outside to your heart's content. The outdoor Power Plant stage is host to an unending string of live music performances in the summer.

Watch your dress code here—panicky about Baltimore's more dangerous side spilling into tourist areas, the staff rigidly enforce the no baggy clothing rules, especially for groups of men. Aim for something preppy/classic.

Angel's Rock Bar, ☎+1 410 528-1999, [31]. Th-Sa 9PM-2:30AM. Don't Stop Believing that the set list will be a little cheesy, but this rock club is regardless one of the better stops within the complex. The clientele is a little skewed towards the male gender, though (because they are sick of the house music at the other clubs). $5-10, free for ladies.

Havana Club, 600 Water St, ☎+1 410 468-0022, [32]. W-Sa 6PM-2AM. This is the one cigar bar anywhere in the area. It's actually kind of horrible, charging patrons a $10, only to deny them a seat on which to smoke their expensive cigars, unless they are willing to fork over a considerable sum more for VIP seating. But if you are up for a big splurge, book yourself a private room with friends and sit down for a fine smoking session.

Mist, 124 Market Pl, ☎+1 443 618-2332, [33]. Th-Sa 6PM-2AM. There isn't anything particularly special about Mist, it's just a club in the complex, with Top 40 and hip hop on the dance floor. Thus, this is the answer to the question, "is there a club near my hotel where I can dance to Top 40."

Ram's Head Live, 20 Market Pl, ☎+1 410 244-8854, [34]. M-Sa 10AM-10:30PM, Su 2 hours prior to doors until 10:30PM. A two level indoor music venue, which is a nice clean, accessible place to see live music.

Sleep

Mid-range

Brookshire Suites, 120 E Lombard Street, ☎+1 410 625-1300, [35]. Brookshire Suites is the perfect place to revel in the beauty and magic of Charm City. In the heart of the city’s famous Inner Harbor, Brookshire Suites is just steps away from many of Baltimore’s fabulous attractions, restaurants and the thriving business district.

Courtyard Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor, 1000 Aliceanna Street, ☎+1 443 923-4000 (fax: +1 443 923-9970), [36]. Despite the purposefully misleading name, Courtyard is not located in the downtown area—indeed is not really within walking distance of the major business areas. It is, however, one block from the waterfront and right between the National Aquarium, Fells Point, and Little Italy.

Hilton Garden Inn Baltimore Downtown Inner Harbor, 625 S President Street, ☎+1 410 234-0065 (fax: +1 410 234-0299), [37]. Another purposefully misleading name, located right by the Courtyard. It's in the extreme east of the district, but that does make it convenient for the same attractions listed for the Courtyard.

Splurge

Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor, ☎+1 410 962-0202, [41]. Upscale chain in the west of the district, just north of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the M&T Bank Stadium (where the Ravens play), just a few blocks from the Convention Center.

Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 East Pratt Street, ☎+1 410 547-1200 (fax: +1 410 539-5780), [46]. About as centrally located as a hotel can get in Baltimore.

Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, 300 South Charles Street, ☎+1 410 685-3362, [47]. Connected to the Convention Center and two blocks east of the Inner Harbor and west of Camden Yards.

Rachael's Dowry Bed and Breakfast, 637 Washington Boulevard (four blocks from the Inner Harbor, less than one block from Oriole Park at Camden Yards), ☎+1 410 752-0805, [48]. Rachael’s Dowry Bed and Breakfast is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Historic Ridgely's Delight. This fully restored B&B is conveniently located one block from the Baltimore Convention Center Hotels, the Orioles at Camden Yards, and the University of Maryland

Contact

The one option for internet (outside of your hotel) will be the giant Barnes and Noble in the historic Power Plant Building, 601 E Pratt St, ☎ +1 410 385-1709, M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 10AM-9PM. Free public WiFi. If you need a terminal, though, you are out of luck.

Get out

Fort McHenry, in South Baltimore, is the city's most important attraction outside the Inner Harbor, and is not to be missed. The best way to go is to either take a taxi, be it by land or by sea, or for the more intrepid to take Bus #1.

Little Italy and Fell's Point are just east of the Inner Harbor, and no trip to Baltimore would be complete without a visit to walk the neighborhood's historic harbor and to get a nice dinner at a Maryland seafood house or Italian restaurant.

Lexington Market is just north of the Inner Harbor Downtown, and is the most efficient way to plunge yourself into the real culture of the city. Ignore people who tell you the market is unsafe (that's nonsense), and start browsing the food stalls and be sure to try some incredible crab cakes or soul food.

Charles Street and Mount Vernon are north of Downtown in Midtown, an area very often overlooked by visitors, but are great for at least a half day visit to see the Washington Monument, the excellent Walters Art Museum, to see the opera, and to spend an evening at a great restaurant or bar, mixing it up with the locals in one of the coolest parts of the city.

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